Staplecross

CLOCKS GO FORWARD ~ 1 HOUR. Of course you will have been reminded almost everywhere you go,of this important action, but just in case your pace of life is such that you have no time ‘to stand & stare’, and any ‘spare time’ is not on your side, please remember to put ALL your clocks & watches forward 1 HOUR this Saturday March 25th. Normally, this is done at midnight, but whenever you retire for the night will be good for you. Losing an hour’s sleep will be a small price to pay for the enjoyment of waking up to a beautiful spring morning. --- when it finally arrives !

NEW BEGINNINGS: Easter is just around the corner and Spring is finally here - it’s official --- the Spring Vernal Equinox was celebrated on Monday March 20th --- and for many people it’s a time when thoughts are given to new beginnings, perhaps by way of joining a local activity. These come in a myriad of options, and if you are new (ish) to our Parish and our 3 villages, Cripps Corner, Ewhurst Green and Staplecross, you may be forgiven for not knowing what is available within our community and which may be of interest you and your family. We are blessed within our parish with having a good variety of clubs, societies, social groups, sports and activities to choose to participate in, if we so wish and all of them will be more than happy to welcome you to their fold. Please check out: Ewhurst.info - All of the various noticeboards dotted about the villages, the Parish News, your own Village Voice, and of course, ‘by word of mouth’ - always the best source to begin with !.Whether it’s a sporting activity, a hobby or pastime, a social meeting or a charitable organisation - you’ll be sure to find something that is just right for you and as warmer days & lighter, longer nights approach, more & more events will be appearing throughout our community. Be sure you pop along and check them out and consider ‘giving them a go’ !

EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL: ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY. Another gentle reminder to all residents of our parish community,- especially to all those who have recently moved into our Parish, - that Ewhurst Parish Council will be holding their Annual Parish Assembly on Tuesday April 11th in the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross TN32 5QG. The meeting will commence at 7.15pm, but arrive early, from 6.45pm to ‘mingle’ and enjoy the stalls & displays depicting

what goes on within our parish, enjoy all the delightful buffet provided by our own merry members of our local W.I. and meet your local Parish, District and County Councillors, as all three tiers of local government will be represented, before settling down to enjoy the programme arranged for you. As always, - it promises to be a good evening

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL: Many residents, regardless of where they may live in East Sussex, will be aware that elections for East Sussex County Council will take place on Thursday May 4th this year and that all 50 seats are up for election. You can choose who you want to represent our local community if you are registered to vote. The last date for registration is Thursday April 13th. To confirm that you are on the Electoral Roll, please check with your local District or Borough Council or by visiting gov.uk/register-to-vote Many electoral division boundaries have been re-drawn, which means your Polling Station may be different at this election, so please check your polling card when it arrives, to find out where to vote. You can see the new Boundary Maps by also visiting Igbce.org.uk online. For all further information about the elections including how to become a County Councillor yourself, please go to: beacouncillor.co.uk/east-sussex

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM: If you enjoy the East Sussex countryside, - and who doesn’t ? - and would like to advise on local issues, then this little snippet may be just for you! The East Sussex Local Access Forum is looking to recruit new members with a land interest this year. The forum represents users, land managers and other interested bodies and advises on access to the countryside for recreation whilst also protecting wildlife and landscape. For more information please visit: eastsussex.gov.uk/localaccessforum

ROTHER RAMBLERS: Back enjoying our countryside and unearthing little known gems of walks and scenery, the members of the popular walking group, he Rother Ramblers have 2 more walks for us to enjoy this week, if we so wish. Walk No:1 is planned for Sunday March 26th and is a flat circular walk of 7.5 miles around Upper Dicker, which is just outside of Eastbourne. The meeting place is at the junction of Coldharbour Lane, (B2108) and Camberlot Road, Upper Dicker. OS.EXP 123. TQ551097. (SatNav BN27 3QN) at 10.00am. Roadside parking is available and of course a picnic lunch is suggested. A request that please ‘NO DOGS’ attend, has been made on this occasion. Mike will be your ‘walk leader’ on this outing and you can contact him on 01424-716840 or mobile 07765-952979 for all further details. Walk No:2 has been arranged for Wednesday March 29th and will be an 8 mile circular meander of Woodchurch to High Halden. The meeting place will be in the car park by the village green, in Woodchurch. OS.EXP125. TQ943347. (SatNavTN26 3BP) again at 10.00am. A picnic lunch, as always, is suggested and for all further information please contact Rita and Lionel on 011424-752452 who are to be your ‘walk leaders’ for this excursion. Let’s hope the weather cheers up and brightens their days for them !

SPRING FLOWER SHOW: Ewhurst, Staplecross & Bodiam Garden Society, will be holding the first of their little local horticultural shows at their next member’s meeting, which will be held on Thursday April 6th. at 7.30pm. NOT March 16th.-as inadvertently stated last week ! and will of course, be held at their usual venue, the Village Hall, Northiam Road, Staplecross, TN32 5QG. Their ‘Spring Show’ is a must for one & all and is truly a delight for all of our senses. It is such a treat to enter the hall and see not only all these glorious blooms, but to smell them as their scent wafts around the hall and welcomes you ! This truly does say...Spring is Here !. Being a part of the evening’s meeting, this is a ‘Must-Not-Miss’ event and ties in very nicely with our Guest Speaker for this month, who will be Katherine Lynn and her talk is entitled “Tiptoe through the Tulips” - very appropriate and also very Spring like !. Please consider entering a class - or two - in this fantastic little show as although Rules & Regulations are adhered to, the classes are simple and straightforward, - there are NO classes in which to panic or be frightened about entering. Show schedules are available and for more information please contact either of the Show Secretaries;- Pam Underhill on: 01580-881839 or Maggie Whitaker on:01580-830041 for all further details & of course,- kind help and guidance in all things horticultural. We are aware that there are many talented people in our villages who could submit good entries, but perhaps lack the confidence to do so. Now is your chance to join in and try it out and have a go !. Give them a call,- help is always at hand, even on the day of the show. The evening’s talk is free for members but any non-member/visitor will be very welcome for a miserly charge of just 2:00. A welcome cuppa amongst congenial company, during half-way and a superb raffle completes another fantastic show & social evening. - Don’t Miss It !.

STAPLECROSS VILLAGE HALL: A short and gentle reminder that Saturday April 8th is the day that Staplecross Village Hall will hold the first of their ‘Mammoth Jumble Sale’ events.. Doors open at 2.00pm and all are invited to bring big bags and enjoy filling them with bargains galore. A cake stall, a raffle and a welcome cup of tea or coffee completes the event and for those who can’t deliver their ‘donations’ to the village hall on the morning of the sale - from 9.30am onwards, - please contact Hilary on:01580-830704 or Anne on; 01580-831881 who will do their best to arrange collection.

CHURCH SERVICES: Church services for the parish of Ewhurst, will commence at St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green on Sunday March 26th. - which is of course ‘Mothering Sunday’ - at 9.30am. This service will include Holy Communion (BCP). There will be NO SERVICES TODAY at St. Giles church, Bodiam, but a service at St. Mark’s church, Northiam Road, Staplecross, will follow directly afterwards at 11.15am. This will include Holy Communion (BCP). If there is any church matter on which you feel you may need further assistance, especially Baptisms, Weddings and sadly, Funerals, then for the time being, do please get in touch with the appropriate Churchwardens: ~ For all Bodiam matters, please contact Graham Peters - email at [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830203. For all Ewhurst Parish matters please contact Jo Goodwin - email [email protected] or telephone number 01580~830601. Help in some way is always at hand and always so generously given, so do please contact them.

PLEASE CONTACT ME: If you are arranging an event in the foreseeable future, --- whatever the nature of the event and however large or small, if you’d like some extra coverage for it, - courtesy of the Observer Newspaper - then please get in touch. If it’s of interest to you, - it’s of interest to us. it’s never too early to send in any of the details and to tell us what you are planning. Many of you will be turning your thoughts to other events in the near future - remember - Spring is now officially here, despite our changeable weather, soon to be closely followed by the long Easter weekend, so many of you will be planning events for us all to enjoy, so please do contact me, as I’d love to hear from you and to help ‘spread the word’ on your behalf................Thank You.

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